SOURCE: “‘Araby’ and the Writings of James Joyce,” in Antioch Review, Vol. 25, No. 3, Fall, 1965, pp. 375–410.

In the following essay, Stone explores the literary allusions and symbolism found in “Araby,” contending that Joyce “was careful to lacquer his images and actions with layer after layer of translucent, incremental meaning.”

Love came to us in time gone by                                         When one at twilight shyly played And one in fear was standing nigh—                                         For Love at first is all afraid. We were grave lovers. Love is past                                         That had his sweet hours many a one; Welcome to us now at the last                                         The ways that we shall go upon. 

—Chamber Music, XXX (written in 1904 or earlier).

And still you hold our longing gaze With languorous look and lavish limb! Are you not weary of ardent ways? Tell no more of enchanted days. 

—A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1904–14).

Lust...